What would happen if you were focused on your outcome but flexible in how you get there?

I bet you’d get a lot more done, and probably have a lot more fun doing it.

For example, I’m writing this blog post from the beach. Isn’t it cool that there are tools we can use to make our lives more fun, stress free and successful?

Over and over I hear clients telling me what they want; they want to be healthy and active, more relaxed, to enjoy their lives more and or sleep better at night.

But when I ask them “what’s stopping you from reaching your goals and living the life you want?” The answer time and time again is that they don’t have time, or it doesn’t fit into their busy schedule as a business professional, parent, partner…you name it. 

This is where flexibility comes in: 

If what needs to happen to lose some painful extra pounds that are causing extra pressure on they knees, hips or other joints is more movement in your life. Then what would happen if you started to be flexible on how you get that movement?

Instead of handing over all your power to the time police because you can’t get to the gym for an hour each day, what do you think might happen if just you started taking all your meetings as Netwalks (want to know what a netwalk is? Tune into this episode of the Modelling Success in Action Podcast)? Or maybe you start taking all your phone calls standing up and you do wall sit’s during team meetings?

What could happen is you might become the type of person who is fit and active. But that’s up to you.

Having too many rules and being ridged in our thinking can hold us back from living the life we want. 

Bending with the chaos can help you get through it 

It’s summer in Vancouver and one of the best things to do is spend time at one of our many gorgeous beaches along the Seawall. If you take the Seawall on the kits side of the city you might even get to see the gorgeous willow tree right at the entrance of Granville Island. 

In the fall when the weather isn’t quite as nice, the city has lots of big wind and rain storms. No matter how much outside pressure and chaos that willow tree experiences, it’s graceful and flexible branches keep it safe, and resilient. Other more ridged trees end up broken and defeated, their branches littering the Seawall path. 

Some people want to enjoy their life more but on sunny days they stare out the window and wish they were outside. They blame outside stressors (much like bad weather) for having to suffer and stay the same.  

What if instead, they got flexible?

How do you start being flexible? 

What if you took your next zoom meeting at the beach? Or wrote a blog post (cough cough) on your phone? Or even used that time to post to social media? 

Working a desk job and can’t get to the beach mid-day? Could you take a walk around the block? What if you took that phone meeting on a bench in the sun?

Anyone with an office job thinking that they can’t enjoy time outdoors (or doing whatever it is that helps t hem get to their outcome) with their busy schedule; I wonder how much more productive you’d be if you spent time recharging? Imagine how much better you’ll sleep, so you can wake up refreshed and ready to confidently take on the day.

This doesn’t just apply to beach days and walks around the block. Could you be flexible with how you expect your kids, partner, co-workers to behave? What if you got flexible in your response to them? What if instead of ordering the same meal at your favourite restaurant you get curious about what the fit couple in the next booth is ordering and try it for yourself? 

What does it look like in real life?

But don’t just take my word for it; Christina is a busy mom and business owner who’s old rules and expectations were causing stress and strain in her life:

“I came into these sessions feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with how I was communicating with my husband and kids. I was always told my tone is abrupt and very naggy and barky. I was taking multitasking to a crazy level and overdoing it to the point where I would be snappy and resentful. With Jessica’s help and tools I have found myself feeling so calm and present. I’m not on my phone as much and I’m not feeling stressed. I find myself so at peace and not stressed about getting things done. I had the best xmas holiday (in years) with no fights between husband and son, harmonious gatherings, fun and quality time was enjoyed by all. I ended the year on a very positive note and I’m excited to see the new, calm, happier me rock it in 2025!”* – Christina Towfigh, Business Owner

Are you ready to get flexible?

So this week I challenge you, start to notice where your rules, rigidity and inflexibility are getting in the way of you getting what you actually want out of life. How could you be a bit more flexible, perhaps a bit more playful in the actions that you take to get where you want to go?